The UK Government must urgently set out how it will protect funding for fish and seafood sectors post-Brexit or risk undermining Scotland’s food and drink success story, says its Rural Economy Secretary.
Fergus Ewing has called on the UK’s Secretary of State for Rural Affairs Michael Gove to clarify his intentions following Brexit in relation to financial support to fishing businesses, processors, aquaculture and infrastructure.
“The UK Government’s failure to acknowledge our concerns around future funding for coastal communities is disrespectful to the fishermen and businesses that rely on this investment,” Mr Ewing said.
“The prospect of Brexit places this support in jeopardy and we need the UK Government to urgently confirm firstly, that investment in the marine sector will continue at levels which properly reflect the significance of the sector in the rural economy and secondly, that Scotland will receive its fair share of future funding as well as the power to determine how best to invest it.
One success resulting from the funding is Scrabster, Scotland’s second biggest whitefish landing port, which received more than £542,000 from the EMFF for its new ice plant.
Scotland currently receives 46% of the UK’s share of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), with £81 million allocated from the EU to help Scottish businesses expand and become more sustainable over the current 2014 – 2020 funding period.
The Scottish Government provides a further £53 million to EMFF awarded projects.
